Patient's question:
Is neonatal jaundice of 13.9 normal? The baby's mental state is still okay, feeding and bowel movements are normal, and the cry is quite loud. However, the doctor only said it was high and didn't mention hospitalization, just medication. Is this considered high or just slightly above normal?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal jaundice refers to the condition during the neonatal period where abnormal bilirubin metabolism leads to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, resulting in the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera. It is the most common clinical issue in newborns. This condition can be categorized into two major types: physiological and pathological. Based on the current measurement of bilirubin concentration, the jaundice index is 13.9 mg/dL. Considering pathological jaundice, medical treatment or blue light therapy is required to treat the jaundice.